Grant Programme Outline

Writers write. Writers research. Writers publish. And a variety of organizations, governmental and private, help them with grants, fellowships, and writer-in-residence programs.

But writers also live. And, like everyone else, they encounter problems and challenges in their lives. Since 1931, the Canadian Writers Foundation has been there to help.

For most of the Foundations’ existence, the largest part of that help has gone to elderly writers, for even the most successful writers in previous generations rarely enjoyed an income that allowed them to provide for retirement. Before the advent of public pensions and “the social safety net,” old age often meant a complete loss of income, not only from writing but such supplementary sources as teaching. For many writers, old age became a time of destitution and fear. Long term grants often made a crucial difference. The Canadian Writers Foundation grants allowed many writers to live with dignity, and, in a number of cases, continue to write.

Today, because of public pensions and “the social safety net,” the problems writers now face in old age are less severe than they have been in the past—though they have by no means been eliminated.

In today’s world, writers of all ages still face problems in living that often prevent them from writing. Health problems. Problems with accommodation and re-location. Problems with children…

But, of course, the problem with “problems” is that they are often unique and defy categorization—though they still need to be solved. The Canadian Writers Foundation stands ready to help with any problem that seriously effects the lives of writers to the detriment of their writing.

The Canadian Writers Foundation has added a brand new program to its present mandate
of supporting excellent senior writers who are having financial challenges. This new programme consists of short-term grants where writers – with a proven publishing record – are experiencing
financial difficulties and their resources leave them in need. These grants can be tailored to meet particular problems and circumstances.

The Canadian Writers’ Foundation is committed to protecting the privacy of its grantees and of all applicants to both its short- term   and long- term  grant programmes.  The names of all grantees are kept confidential during their lifetimes.  Personal data collected on grant applications is restricted to what the CWF Board of Directors and its Executive Secretary require for adjudication of applications or administration of a grant.   All grant applications are treated as confidential, and the CWF does not disclose personal information to third parties at any time without the permission of the applicant.

While the CWF retains a list of names of unsuccessful applicants for archival purposes, all unsuccessful applications are destroyed after the adjudication meeting at which they were discussed, and the applicant has been advised of the result.

 

Grant Programmes and Grantee Criteria

The following are general guidelines to be applied when considering a new application for addition to the current list of short-term and long-term Grantees.

Short-term Grant Programme

These would be short term grants for significant Canadian writers, not necessarily living in Canada, who need help through a difficult time.

This grant programme includes authors who perhaps need more practical help with general living costs and medical expenses, not grants for aid in the publication or creative writing projects or lifetime grants. These would be short-term or one-time grants of up to $5,000 that could be renewable depending on their situation.

  • The Foundation will provide financial assistance to approved applicants:
    • who are 50 years of age or over;
    • whose income is at or below the poverty level of the area where they are resident and/or who have some major health related issues;
    • who are Canadian, and
    • who are published and have made a contribution to Canadian writing.
  • Applicants will be requested to complete and submit an application form providing basic information on their financial and health status, a copy of their most recent tax return, and their biographical profile for Board review.
  • The committee assesses the published works of each writer who applies to the Foundation and determines the significance of their contribution to the Canadian literary world. Each applicant is reviewed in the light of his or her unique career profile.
  • Applications will be approved, and grants authorized, by the Board of Directors.
  • In some circumstances where further information or clarification is required the Chair may ask a Board Member or an Advisor to contact the applicant.
  • Foundation assistance may be modified at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
  • All grant recipients receive a T5007 (Statement of Benefits) for the non-taxable funds they received during the year to submit with their income tax returns


Continuing (long term) Grant Programme

These long-term grants are intended for distinguished Canadian authors living in Canada in financial distress.

  • The Foundation will provide financial assistance to approved applicants:
    • who are 60 years of age or over;
    • who have a total annual income of $25,000 or less;
    • who, due to age or infirmity, are unable to earn an adequate income and are in extreme financial distress;
    • who are Canadian and living in Canada, and
    • who are published and have made a significant contribution to Canadian writing.
  • Applicants will be requested to complete and submit an application form providing basic information on their financial and health status, a copy of their most recent tax return, and their biographical profile for Board review. Updates of this information will be required annually for re-evaluation of continued eligibility.
  • The committee assesses the published works of each writer who applies to the Foundation and determines the significance of their contribution to the Canadian literary world. Each applicant is reviewed in the light of his or her unique career profile.
  • Applications will be approved, and grants authorized, by the Board of Directors.
  • In some circumstances where further information or clarification is required the Chair may ask a Board Member or an Advisor to contact the applicant.
  • Foundation assistance may be modified at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
  • All grant recipients receive a T5007 (Statement of Benefits) for the non-taxable funds they received during the year to submit with their income tax returns.